verge = “The point beyond which an action, state, or condition is likely to begin or occur; the brink” (of being a first world country?) Perhaps we have a different take on First Worldness.

Maybe you meant “purge” instead of “verge”; as in, “one good purge away”.

Not that it’s all tinsel and glitter now, but “on the verge” is a little “over the top”, don’t you think?

“Why is it called “rebuilding” Iraq, when it was a sorry state before the war? Shouldn’t we be talking about “building” Iraq?”

You gotta be kidding me. Iraq was on the verge of becoming a first world country, and then the US put the screws to them in 1991 and haven’t let up since. Yes, they are now a ’sorry state’, and yes we SHOULD call it “rebuilding”. Sheesh.

Remember the pottery barn rule?

Now Condi is laying the responsibility for Bush’s failed adventure on the Iraqi’s. Why don’t they petition God for an answer about how to resolve the Iraqi fiasco.. after all, he was the one who told Bush to take out Saddam.

Don’t blame me. I tried to raise you right.

Off topic: If we’re talking about security, a story hit the New York papers this morning saying that the powers that be don’t think they’ll be able to get the improved first-responder communication system — something that firefighters and policemen have been clamoring for since 9/11 — up and running until 2009. I don’t understand security in New York. Ineffectual bag searches on the subway — individuals can refuse to be searched and then re-enter the subway via another entrance — are sucking up money and resources, but we can’t get the first-responder communication system up until 8 years after 9/11? This strikes me as symptomatic of our whole approach to “homeland” security — the approach is backwards, perhaps aimed more at PR than actually making us safe.

Also, I like falafel. I guess this means I might be a terrorist.

However, if the claim of “negative press” is just an effort to counter the potential damage it might have on re-election efforts in the US this year, then sadly that’s how shallow appearences can be.

Bottom line: It’s time to get real. Forget the Nielsen’s ratings, this is not a TV show. If things are as bad in Iraq as they say they are (and all signs points to yes), you might reap what you sow.